By Vangelis Dourakis

With oil prices on the international markets moving recently without extreme fluctuations, retail in our country seems to have balanced itself at very specific levels. The price of heating oil remains almost fixed near 1.10 euros per liter, which prompts many consumers to make their purchases now to “stock up” the necessary quantities in the middle of winter.

Of course, not all consumers pay the same throughout the territory, as there is a big difference, for example, in the prices of Athens and those of the islands.

How much heating oil is sold on the islands

It is characteristic that at the time the price in the capital is on average at 1,099 euros per literin the Cyclades is taking shape to 1,273 euros. Which practically means that in Athens we pay for heating oil 17% cheaper compared to the Aegean islands.

At the same time, the international price that constitutes a “guide” of the developments is about 15% lower compared to last year’s period, as from almost 73 dollars a barrel has “landed” to 62 dollars.

Beneficiaries of the heating allowance will however see the final cost fluctuate at even lower levels after the amount of the subsidy they will receive, especially in the areas where it is usually… cold, as there the amount of the aid is higher.

Based on the relevant schedule, the platform myHeating it is expected to open by mid-November, with the first payment expected to be made in early December.

By the end of the month, the Joint Ministerial Decision is expected, which will clarify the procedure, the deadlines and all the details for the payment of the heating allowance for the period 2025-2026.

The basic allowance amounts range from 100 to 800 euros, depending on the region, however the amounts are increased where climatic conditions require it.

For example, in settlements such as Elati, Papigo, Kozani, etc., whose climate coefficient is greater than or equal to unity (1), the amount of the allowance is increased by 25% and reaches 1,000 euros at most.

In other settlements (e.g. Metsovo, Velouhi, Nymfaio, Nevrokopi, Pertouli, etc.), where the climate coefficient is greater than or equal to 1.2, the allowance is increased by an additional 25% and reaches 1,200 euros.

In other words, the maximum amount someone can receive is 1,200 euros.

Conditions for the heating allowance

In order to receive the heating allowance, households should know that:

a) Applications on the AADE myHeating platform are submitted for a main residence.

b) A heating allowance is granted to natural persons, single or married or widowed or to persons who have entered into a cohabitation agreement or are separated or divorced, who for their heating consume internal combustion heating oil or lighting oil (blue kerosene) or natural gas or liquid gas or firewood or biomass (pellets) or thermal energy through district heating or electricity and meet the criteria.

c) For married persons or persons who have entered into a cohabitation agreement, the beneficiary is the person liable to submit the income tax return or one of the two in case of submitting a separate return.

Beneficiaries are those who have annual total family incomeup to: 16,000 euros for single and 24,000 euros for married which is increased by 5,000 euros for each child.

For her single parent family the income limit is: 29,000 euros, which is increased by 5,000 euros for each child after the first.

For those who exercise business activitythe total gross income from business activity of the debtor, spouse or cohabiting partner and dependent children, must not exceed 80,000 euros.

OR total value of the real estate cannot exceed: 200,000 euros for singles, widowed or estranged debtors and 260,000 euros for married or cohabiting parties and single-parent families.

The amount is increased by 40,000 euros for each dependent child.